Which charging solution to choose for your electric car? Here are the different possible installations, their cost, their advantages, as well as the tax credit to which you can claim.
95% of electric car owners prefer home charging. While it is possible in most cases to recharge your car on a standard secure electrical outlet, this option is slow and laborious. Charging cables are in fact voluntarily limited to 10 amps, which implies a charging time… very long. The complete recharge of a Renault Zoe on a standard socket thus requires more than 37 hours according to the manufacturer! In addition, this very long charging time induces a risk of overheating. It is therefore strongly recommended to install a dedicated system, which exists in two forms: the reinforced socket and the charging station (wallbox).
The reinforced grip
This special socket is similar to a conventional socket but it is provided with an additional safety device with a dedicated electric line to the electrical panel. It allows slow recharging, with a power of up to 3.2 kW (enough to regain 200 km of autonomy in one night). The two main brands of reinforced sockets are Green’Up by Legrand and Witty by Hager, which must be installed by a certified professional. Count 110 to 230 euros for the socket itself, plus around 300 to 400 euros for the installation, for a total budget of around 500 euros.
The charging station
The charging point is the best solution if you drive more than 80 km per day and charge frequently. It can be filled in 5 hours, with a power of up to 7 kW for a single-phase installation and 22 kW for a three-phase installation. There are many models to choose from among reference brands such as Schneider Electric, Hager or New Motion. Most stations also include dynamic power management, which automatically regulates the charging power according to the power available so as not to trip the system. Allow a budget of between 1,000 euros and 2,000 euros all inclusive (terminal + installation).
The tax credit for electric charging stations
Any individual installing a home charging station (reinforced sockets are therefore not affected) can benefit from a tax credit that can cover up to 75% of the purchase and installation costs up to a limit of 300 euros. This tax credit is available to tenants as well as to owners and does not depend on the level of income. Since January 1, 2021, it has been extended to second homes (one per taxpayer), provided that this is not rented out, in particular seasonal. You also benefit from reduced rate VAT (5%) on your installation.
Install an electrical terminal in co-ownership
If you are in co-ownership, you can assert a “right to the plug” and install a charging station at your expense. However, you must have a closed and covered parking space, as well as an individual meter. All you need to do is register your request for inclusion on the agenda of the General Meeting with the trustee by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt.
Recharging your electric car at home: what is the budget?
Home charging will increase your electricity bill. Depending on the models and battery capacity, a full charge will come back to you between 7 and 11 euros. If you charge your car mainly at night, opt for an off-peak time package. In the same way, it can be interesting to use a price comparison like MaPetiteEnergie to find the most suitable offer. In use, however, it is estimated that an electric vehicle costs less than 2 euros per 100 kilometers against 6 euros for a diesel vehicle and 7.50 euros for a gasoline model.
Article produced in partnership with the MaPetiteEnergie teams
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